Page 49 - NovemberDecember25

doors, even if you’re not the loudest voice. cator, you have everything you need. Your presence can
be powerful, even if it’s not loud. The ability to listen
• Attend selectively and engage intentionally. You deeply, reflect intentionally, and empathize genuinely
don’t need to go to everything. Choose events and spaces are not traits reserved for introverts. They are human
where you feel safe to be fully yourself show up with tools, available to all of us. But for many introverts, these
presence and purpose. qualities often come naturally and are central to how we
lead. That’s worth recognizing and celebrating. Whether
To those who do not identify as introverts, your role you recharge in stillness or in connection, whether you
is vital too. Perhaps you’ve never questioned whether process internally or out loud, the core truth remains:
your personality “fits” the podium. Maybe bold expres- great leadership takes many forms. Extroverts and in-
sion, quick connection, or being energized by the spot- troverts alike bring essential gifts to our musical spaces.
light feels second nature to you. Those are gifts worth To the young conductor who wonders if they’re “too
honoring. quiet” for the podium, I see you. I was you. And I’m here
to tell you: your version of presence, your way of con-
necting, your authenticity… That is your power.
Championing Diverse Leadership Styles The podium doesn’t need more noise. It needs more
How many deeply gifted musicians, teachers, and truth. And sometimes, the truest voices arrive gently and
conductors are passed over simply because they aren’t inspire authentically.
“loud” enough? How many young people never con-
sider conducting or teaching because they don’t see Chris Maunu is the artistic director of the Pacific Youth
leaders who reflect their perceived type of energy? Choir, affiliate faculty at Portland State University, and
If we want our field to be inclusive—truly inclusive— was conductor of the 2025 ACDA National 11–12 Hon-
we need to recognize and elevate all types of leader- or Choir. He is a four-time Grammy Music Educator of
ship. Not just the loudest ones. If you’re in a position of the Year finalist.
influence, one of the most impactful things you can do
is recognize and affirm the quieter voices around you.
Not everyone is going to jump into the spotlight, and NOTES
they shouldn’t have to in order to be seen. Consider
who might need a little more time to process before re- 1 William K. Eide, Weston Noble: A Man of Principle, a Legacy of
sponding in a rehearsal or meeting. Notice who listens Faith (Luther College Press, 2004).
deeply, leads with calm, or asks thoughtful questions 2 Alice Parker, “The Immediacy of Song: An Interview with
one-on-one. These are leadership strengths, too, just Alice Parker,” Choral Journal 46, no. 9 (April 2006): 13.
expressed differently. 3 Robert Shaw, quoted in Robert Blocker, ed., The Robert Shaw
You can support your introverted colleagues by cre- Reader (Yale University Press, 2004), 288.
ating space where both loud and quiet energy is val- 4 Adam M. Grant, Francesca Gino, and David A. Hofmann,
ued. Model curiosity over assumption. Make room for “Reversing the Extroverted Leadership Advantage: The
silence. Invite collaboration in ways that allow different Role of Employee Proactivity,” Academy of Management
processing styles to shine. When we intentionally build Journal 54, no. 3 (2011): 528–50.
professional cultures that honor a range of personali-
ties and leadership approaches, we include more peo-
ple and we grow deeper as a field.

To the Quiet Leaders
If you’re stepping into the role of conductor or edu-

CHORAL JOURNAL November/December 2025 Volume 66 Number 4 47